this is one of the world's largest hotel companies. it seldom offers lemex-like rates - although I did get an email last october offering reasonable spanish rooms remarkably cheaply at 20-30 dollars a night - but for those travelling to hispanic locations (and a few others) there can be some excellent deals at nice hotels. In particular, every wednesday at 1400 spanish time they post reductions on selected worldwide properties for the following fri-sun nights.

This is especially useful for the bigger spanish cities where they have many properties. have just booked this weekend at a classy boutique hotel in southern spain for 30-40% off the best rate I'd seen previously on their web site (www.solmelia.com). I haven't yet tried it yet but I have also read that if you are in their frequent stayer club you get a second breakfast free when you pay for one.

It's true.

I signed up for the web specials e mail last year. Last fall they offered rooms at US$36 in 'downtown' Madrid. A very solid 3.5* hotel.

The link above has a typo, here's the link to Sol Melia (http://www.solmelia.com)